China-based badminton company Li Ning announced its entry into the Indian market with a smart move ahead of the World Championships, signing up top Indian players Chetan Anand and Jwala Gutta on Saturday. The contract, which extends for two years for an undisclosed amount, will mean that the high-profile couple will use Li Ning’s equipment and playing gear when not turning out for team events. Most significantly, it is for the first time that top Indian players have moved away from market leader Yonex, which sponsors the national badminton team.
The signing is likely to cause Yonex concern, for several nations have associated themselves with other brands in recent years. Europe has made a decisive shift towards companies like Carlton, Babolat, Head and Forza, while Yonex has also been losing ground in its heartland Asia. The Korean team has signed with Victor, and most tellingly, the Chinese, with an exclusive contract with home company Li Ning in April this year. The Singapore national team too has gone the Li Ning way. With ambassadors like Lin Dan, Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai, Xie Xingfang and a veritable army of Chinese heroes to bank on, the Chinese company — founded by a two-time World Gymnastics champion 19 years ago — has already begun to make its presence felt outside its home domain.
Jwala told DNA the deal came through suddenly. “They contacted me just 10 days ago, and everything fell in place,” she said. “It’s not just about Li Ning... I think the more private companies there are in badminton, the better it will be for the game.”
The entry of new private entities could mean a new era of independent professional players who are not bound to the company that their national association signs up with. It will automatically mean higher prize money and bigger sponsorship deals. All this is, of course, only if the companies stick to their grandoise promises.
Lin Dan
Lin is to badminton what Woods is to golf. To watch Lin at his best is to see the fullest expression of physical ability — a rather medium-built man, Lin takes wing to cut off the tosses, bringing in his huge jump-smash to deadly effect. The steep angle from which he delivers this smash, and his ability to change direction at the last moment, gives the opponent little to work with. Lin has no real weaknesses — he can attack fabulously, but he also has a solid defence, and can dominate the net. A Olympic gold medallist, two-time World Champion, and four-time All England winner, Lin has nothing left to win.
Lee Chong Wei
If Lin Dan wasn’t around, Chong Wei would’ve been headed for greatness. He has consistently won Super Series events, but has yet to net the big fish — the Olympics, the World Championships, or the All England. At the biggest of stages, the wiry Malaysian has crumbled — most memorably in the Beijing Olympics final where Lin Dan whipped him in quick time. Still, that should not take away from his abilities. Lee has a good all-round game, especially solid on the defence, which he uses to kill superior firepower. He doesn’t have a big smash, but he does everything else effectively enough to wear out challengers.
Taufik Hidayat
If Lin Dan is comparable to Rafael Nadal for the sheer physical allure he brings to the game, Taufik is Roger Federer. A magician with the racquet, extremely temperamental, but effortlessly brilliant. He answers to none but his own moods — but when he decides to, he can turn it on like no other. While Lin is prose, Taufik is poetry — he brings grace and beauty and craftsmanship in his game; the shuttle goes where he bids it, and the opponent too. His battles with Lin are the stuff of legend. Lin usually wins on his superior fitness, but Taufik can pull the odd match when in the mood.
Lee Yong Dae
A new superstar since his Olympics mixed doubles win, Yong Dae has become a youth icon in his home Korea and to teenagers across the world. For one so young, his maturity and consistency are remarkable. Yong Dae has the cherubic good looks to bring youngsters to watch doubles badminton. Joined the national team at the young age of 15; by 20 he has already won a few Super Series and the Olympics gold in the mixed doubles. Plays both the men's doubles (with Jung Jae-Sung) and the mixed (with Lee Hyo Jung) at most events, which calls for considerable reserves of strength. This year has won three Super Series and the Asian Championships.
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